Weston UK WCS Championships 17 - 19 April 2009

[robd]

Well, prob a bit early to start a poll but who cares.

Disappointed to see that John Lindo is the US Pro joining the Roystons for that weekend. I wasn't as impressed with him as I have been with other stateside teachers when he came to Twickenham and the reports back from Blackpool of his willingness to mix and dance socially weren't good either. On the plus side I expect we'll see a lot of our gallic friends there and maybe even a few people coming over from the States to compete.

Another plus looking at the JA site is that J&T seem to be confirmed for their September event

[Brian Doolan]

A few of us are coming down from Glasgow, hopefully to see Lisa & David better placed than they were this year.

[Gerry]

Just to be difficult can we add to the poll

Going but not sure if i will compete yet

[Northants Girly]

I was quite impressed with John Lindo's teaching at Blackpool. He didn't mix much on the social dance floor like Michael did but I remember he was very patient with me and my daft questions and also had plenty time for folk immediately after his classes for more questions etc

[robd]

Just to be difficult can we add to the poll

Going but not sure if i will compete yet

No.

It's Make Your Mind Up time Gerry

I was quite impressed with John Lindo's teaching at Blackpool. He didn't mix much on the social dance floor like Michael did but I remember he was very patient with me and my daft questions and also had plenty time for folk immediately after his classes for more questions etc

Yes, I wasn't at Blackpool so only have other people's reports to go on. Good to hear another side of the story.

[Gerry]

No.

It's Make Your Mind Up time Gerry

I have heard that one before but this time I am being a real girly and still debating over whether i should or shouldn't

[DavidB]

at this time I am being a real girly

Let me guess - you haven't got anything to wear?

[Zuhal]

Maybe I am reading the booking form wrong but it says:

"Whole Weekend package £XX per person
Includes whole package
and required to compete"

or
Saturday only
or Sunday only

Is this a Jive Addiction thing?
They only want competitors on the Friday Night?
You have to pay more to attend Sat & Sun without competing?

Zuhal

[robd]

Maybe I am reading the booking form wrong but it says:

"Whole Weekend package £XX per person
Includes whole package
and required to compete"

or
Saturday only
or Sunday only

Is this a Jive Addiction thing?
They only want competitors on the Friday Night?
You have to pay more to attend Sat & Sun without competing?

Zuhal

The wording confused some people last year.

AFAIK it means that if you intend to compete in any of the categories you must take the whole weekend package. It does not mean that those who take the whole weekend package will be forced to compete.

[johnah]

Another plus looking at the JA site is that J&T seem to be confirmed for their September event

Jordan & Tatiana are confirmed.

[Lynn]

Maybe I am reading the booking form wrong but it says:

"Whole Weekend package £XX per person
Includes whole package
and required to compete"

I would read that as the whole package is required if you want to compete.

[Cruella]

If only the gender ratio on the poll at present was indicative of the actual event.
6 men to every 2 women. Heaven!

[Caro]

Jordan & Tatiana are confirmed.

That's a fab news

I don't suppose we coulg get them to do 3 performances instead of the usual 2, by any chance? It's just that in addition to the freestyle and their new routine (which they will do for the first time at Capital Swing in feb), I would really, really, love to see their 'how to save a life' routine, which they have never performed at a JA event... pleeeeeaaase it is so worth it.... you won't regret it !

[Sugarfoot]

Let me guess - you haven't got anything to wear?

I suggest the Rupert Bear shorts and Cubans (as in La Palma) would go down well Gerry

[Gerry]

I suggest the Rupert Bear shorts and Cubans (as in La Palma) would go down well Gerry

Your just jealous they were hugo boss

[robd]

The Competition Rules have now been published.

Interested to see there will be Showcase division and Team cabaret. Also interesting that couples competing together in Classic/Showcase will not be permitted to partner one another in Strictly Swing.

The criteria for Newcomer, Novice and Open qualification has been clarified a little from last year which is useful though the word 'regularly' in 'dancing West Coast Swing regularly' is still subjective.

No cash prizes at all in J'n'J and, as last year, the cash prizes for the other divisions are only for the winning couple. I'd prefer to see it split among the top three but, hey, it's not my competition!

WSDC points will be awarded for the Open J'n'J category but it doesn't say what category they will be - Novice, I'd presume?

I've booked my hotel room so am looking forward to this but might change my poll vote to 'Going but not competing' - I enjoy the experience of competing but probably have over-expectations and if you can't accept not meeting those then it's probably better to make more of the social dancing and cheer on other people (well, the ones you like anyway )

[dave the scaffolder]

If I get hold of it, I will compete in the next one.

robd is a club footed Donkey, move over robd. CLS Evans is having a pop.

DTS XXX XXX

[frodo]

The Competition Rules have now been published.
The criteria for Newcomer, Novice and Open qualification has been clarified a little from last year which is useful though the word 'regularly' in 'dancing West Coast Swing regularly' is still subjective.

Do you know how it was less clear before ?

Looking though the rules I'm surprised to see the male leader / female follower restriction nowadays in the UK.

[Caro]

The Competition Rules have now been published.

...

WSDC points will be awarded for the Open J'n'J category but it doesn't say what category they will be - Novice, I'd presume?

hmmm... some good stuff with some alignment with NASDE rules which is good...

However I'm afraid when it comes to WSDC points it doesn't seem feasible as stated... The only points that could be awarded in Open would be Avanced points (as many competitors in that division would not be allowed to dance under WSDC Novice points), when only a handful of dancers (in fact, 4: Paul W, Cat, Lee and Rachel McE) really qualify for that division. I doubt the WSDC would be willing to 'downgrade' their system like that and potentially award Advanced points to people who haven't qualified out of intermediate yet.

I think the way forward would be:
- Newcomer and Open: no WSDC points (newcomer isn't tracked and inconsistency of levels in Open - i.e. dancers who belong to Advanced, Intermediate, and even Novice because of some specific JA rules)
- Novice: Novice points awarded. That's the only category for which it makes sense to award points.


I'm afraid that until this is clarified and a clear reasoning provided, it will be just like last year, and no points whatsoever will be awarded. That would be a shame as the UK has notthing to blush about its Novice division...

[robd]

Do you know how it was less clear before ?

There was nothing about length of time dancing WCS regularly in the criteria last year yet some people were 'encouraged' to step up from Novice to Open based primarily on that. In fairness, given the low number of UK contests it is difficult for JA to set objective criteria for the divisions.